Kentucky vs Texas prediction, odds, notes ahead of college football Week 13 game

LEXINGTON — When Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops breaks down film of Texas’ wide receivers, he sees a group he views as “arguably the best in the country.” Chris Collins, whose defensive backs will be tasked with trying to slow down UT’s pass catchers Saturday afternoon, agreed with his boss’ assessment.

“From the holistic and the depth that they have at the position, they’re really good,” said Collins, who also is the Wildcats’ co-defensive coordinator alongside Brad White. “They’ve got guys who can run. Big guys who can go catch the ball (and) challenge contested catches. They’ve got guys who can play (on) the perimeter, in terms of screens and things of that nature. So they’re deep, well rounded.”

Isaiah Bond, who transferred to Texas after spending the past two seasons at Alabama, is considered the team’s best NFL prospect at wideout; he paces the team in receiving yards per game (53.7). Fellow junior Matthew Golden — who transferred to Texas after starting his college career at Houston — has hauled in eight touchdown receptions this fall, tied for most in the SEC. Aside from that dynamic duo, five other Longhorns have caught at least 20 passes this fall.

“It’s going to be a challenge, but it’s a challenge every week, you know?” Collins said. “When you come into this league, you understand that. The guys in our locker room, they salivate about that. They get excited about that challenge. … I am, as a coach, as well.”

Here’s your guide to the Wildcats’ eighth (and final) SEC tilt of the season, a Week 13 matchup against the Longhorns at Texas Memorial Stadium.

Kentucky vs Texas football pregame notes

This will be the first meeting between UK and UT in a conference game; the pair’s all-time history also is scant. The Wildcats and Longhorns have tangled once. In 1951, UT earned a 7-6 win in Austin, Texas.

The Wildcats are 189-412-12 (.318) all time in SEC games. Stoops is 31-61 (.337) in conference contests.

Sixth-year senior linebacker J.J. Weaver, a Moore…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/kentucky-vs-texas-prediction-odds-101804180.html

Author : The Courier Journal

Publish date : 2024-11-22 10:18:00

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